Zürcher Nachrichten - EU says China's links with Russia now 'determining factor' in ties

China's leadership has sought to draw the European Union closer as it positions itself as a more reliable partner than the United States and a bedrock of stability in a troubled world.

Though nominally intended to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, the long list of grievances set the stage for a contentious summit.

The EU has made clear there are deep divisions over trade, fears that cheap, subsidised Chinese goods could overwhelm European markets, and Beijing's tacit support for Russia's war against Ukraine.

Brussels says China's deepening political and economic relations with Russia since the 2022 invasion represent backing for Moscow that have helped its economy weather sweeping Western sanctions.

Wrapping up that summit, von der Leyen told a news conference in Beijing that the bloc had made clear that the issue was now the "determining" factor in its relations with China.

"We expressed... our expectations that China would follow up on our concerns and the expectation that it would use its influence to bring Russia to accept a cease fire, to come to the negotiation table, enter peace talks and put an end to the bloodshed," she said.

She also said the bloc had agreed with Beijing to an "upgraded" mechanism for Chinese exports of rare earth minerals -- another key sticking point in ties.

And European Council President Antonio Costa, also in Beijing, said the officials had raised human rights concerns with Chinese officials.

China, in contrast, framed Thursday's summit as a way for the bloc and Beijing to deepen trust in a turbulent world -- pitching itself as a reliable partner in contrast with the United States.

Welcoming von der Leyen and Costa at Beijing's ornate Great Hall of the People, President Xi Jinping said "the more severe and complex the international situation is, the more important it is for China and the EU to strengthen communication, increase mutual trust and deepen cooperation".

In the context of that turmoil, Xi said, Chinese and European leaders must "make correct strategic choices".

"The challenges facing Europe at present do not come from China," he added.

"There are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions between China and the EU," the Chinese leader said.

In response, von der Leyen said "it is vital for China and Europe to acknowledge our respective concerns and come forward with real solutions".

Ties had reached an "inflection point", she warned.

Costa also stressed to the Chinese leader that the bloc wanted to see "concrete progress on issues related to trade and the economy, and we both want our relationship to be... mutually beneficial".

In a separate meeting on Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang told the two EU leaders that "close cooperation" was a "natural choice" for the two major economies.

"As long as both China and the EU earnestly uphold free trade, the international economy and trade will stay dynamic", he said.

Brussels had acknowledged the talks between its top bosses and Chinese leaders would be tense.

"We know that we don't see eye to eye with China on many issues," a senior EU official told AFP last week.

"But we believe that it is essential to have this kind of very direct and open and constructive conversation sitting at the table at the highest level."

- Climate agreement -

China and the EU also vowed to "step up" efforts to address climate change.

The warming planet has historically been an area of convergence between Brussels and Beijing, with both sides signalling a willingness to cooperate on combating climate change.

Chinese and European leaders agreed on enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as the energy transition and committed to accelerating global renewable energy deployment, a joint statement said.

Also on the agenda for the EU is the yawning trade deficit with China that stood at around $360 billion last year and which von der Leyen has described as "unsustainable".

Beijing has dismissed those concerns, insisting that Brussels must "rebalance its mentality", not its economic ties with China.

If EU concerns were not addressed, "our industry and citizens will demand that we defend our interests", von der Leyen said in Thursday's talks with Li.

The EU has imposed hefty tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, arguing that Beijing's subsidies unfairly undercut European competitors.

China has rebuffed that claim and announced what were widely seen as retaliatory probes into imported European pork, brandy and dairy products.

R.Schmid--NZN